TAUNTON Town manager Gary Domone admits his team face a tough season after losing a number of their best players.

Domone guided the team to the verge of promotion to the Premier Division of the BGB Southern League last season but, since then, around half the side have left.

A virtually new-look squad will be put out for their Division One (S&W) opener at Slough Town next Saturday (August 18).

Out of last season's squad only keeper Ian Jones, skipper Gary Fisher, Dan Cockram, Adam Faux, Charlie Welch, Scott Thomas, Ronnie Mowatt and Danny Copeland have committed to the club.

A host of potential new signings have been put out in pre-season in a bid to find replacements and it has not been easy due to the club's much-publicised financial constraints.

One piece of good news for Domone has been the signing of James Clark from Portishead. The 20-year-old striker has been a target of Domone's for some time after consistently being near the top of the Western League scoring charts since Portishead joined two seasons ago.

Domone said: "It's great news James has signed. We tried to get him last season and I was impressed with him again when he scored against us in pre-season.

"But it has been so tough replacing the players that have left.

"You just can't lose players of the quality we have and expect to be near the top of the league again.

"I'm doing the very best I can but I think it's going to be a tough season.

"Last season, it took time to build up the side and we've had to start from scratch.

"I'm getting fed up of being treated as a nursery club but that's effectively what we've become."

Striker Tom Collett, who has netted twice in pre-season for Taunton, has joined from Toolstation Premier side Hallen, while another front man, Darren Stone, has also joined the club. Taunton tried to sign Stone, an Australian, who was on the Richard Huish Academy last season, but could not get international clearance.

Alex Faux, the 17-year-old brother of Taunton's Adam, has joined the club. Domone is yet to decide on trialists Twayne Plummer (with Bristol Manor Farm last season), Dominic Holver (unattached) and Theo Tompkins (Bristol Rovers Academy).

Locally-based defenders Martin White and Dan Pepperell, who both played for Taunton Blackbrook last season, have also impressed in friendlies and could figure in Domone's plans.

Taunton entertain Chasetown, who play in Division One (Midlands) of the Southern League, in their final friendly on Saturday.

TAUNTON Town's poor pre-season results continued on Tuesday when they went down 3-1 at home to Toolstation League side Frome Town.

Taunton took the lead through young Australian striker Darren Stone in the 59th minute, but Frome hit back to win with goals by Joe Gomes (76, 85) and Simeon Allison (87).

Both sides made a number of changes in the second half.

Last Saturday, Taunton gave, arguably, their best pre-season performance when they drew 1-1 away to Yate, who play in the BGB Southern League Premier Division.

Former Taunton striker Aaron Blakemore put Yate ahead in the tenth minute and Tom Collett equalised from close range in the 67th minute - his third goal in eight days.